‘Travesty of justice’: UN rapporteur calls out delay of justice for detained journalist Cumpio

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“It’s a travesty of justice because, even if she is found innocent, (Frenchie Mae Cumpio) will have spent almost as much as she would have in prison had she been found guilty,” says United Nations Special Rapporteur Irene Khan

CEBU, Philippines – United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur Irene Khan criticized Tuesday, June 24, the Philippine justice system for failing to carry out a swift legal proceeding in the case of Tacloban-based journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio.

Cumpio has spent more than half a decade in detention ever since she and activists Marielle Domequil and Alexander Abinguna were arrested in February 2020. They were initially charged with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and later in 2021, accused of terrorism financing.

“It’s a travesty of justice because [Cumpio], even if she is found innocent, will have spent almost as much as she would have in prison had she been found guilty,” Khan told reporters.

“The lack of speed in the proceedings means that people are being punished without being found guilty,” she added.

Khan questioned why judicial authorities have yet to consider approving the detainees’ application for bail. The special rapporteur paid a visit to Cumpio at the Tacloban City Jail in January 2024, being the first international visitor allowed by the government to have the special meeting.

International press freedom advocates, led by Reporters Sans Frontiers (RSF), attempted to visit the 26-year-old journalist on June 16 but jail officials barred them from entering the waiting area, citing the delegation’s “lack of entry requirements” like a mission order, embassy employment certificates, court permission, and clearance from the Office of the President. 

Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) Asia Head Beh Lih Yi told Rappler that after some negotiations, the delegation was later allowed to see Cumpio but only briefly.

Media groups have decried the actions of jail officials in denying entry to the international delegates, calling it “a chilling message” on the country’s state of human rights and media freedom.

“She’s been five years in prison, four years without international visitors and despite our interest and repeated pressure on the government, I’ve written about her case, the government’s answer is that justice must take its course—but this is not justice, it is injustice,” Khan said.

Progress but bad practices remain

The special rapporteur acknowledged the efforts of the Marcos administration to improve on the country’s press freedom situation and status of security for journalists, noting the government’s “positive” response to her recommendations.

“The government welcomes my report, however, they are looking at the recommendations one-by-one. They have accepted a couple of recommendations I had made about adoption of legislation to improve the conditions of journalists,” Khan said.

Despite this, the special rapporteur said that some bad practices from the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte still remain in the present administration, particularly on red-tagging.

Khan urged Marcos to put out an official executive order to disapprove the act of red-tagging and provide consequences for public servants caught in the act of red-tagging. In May 2024, the Supreme Court defined red-tagging as a threat to a person’s right to life, liberty, or security.

“Time and time again, we are seeing harassment, we are seeing arrests, we are seeing actually violence against them,” Khan said.

The president has yet to heed the special rapporteur’s recommendation to abolish the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), known for its red-tagging activities against journalists, activists, and human rights lawyers alike.

Khan also highlighted the killing of former journalist and rights advocate Ali Macalintal. She was shot dead in General Santos City on Monday, June 23, media and rights groups confirmed.

“Her killing underlines once again my key finding that while this government, the administration of President Marcos has made some changes, a lot more needs to be done,” she said.

Khan urged members of the press to continue their reportage of cases like Cumpio’s and the delay of justice that oppressed individuals face, noting their importance in strengthening human rights in the Philippines. – Rappler.com